Explore Ancient Flavours of the Central Desert at the Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Activity details

We invite you to join our local Arrernte bush food experts from Kungkas Can Cook, learning about the abundance we call the ‘bush supermarket’.

This unique cultural tour offers a profound immersion into the traditions, and customs passed down through generations of First Nations peoples. Enjoy ethically sourced, organic bush food straight from the Central Desert. These foods have been enjoyed by Aboriginal communities for over 60,000 years.

Includes a 1.5 hour guided cultural walk followed by a Kungkas Can Cook shared tasting platter to sample native ingredients presented both in traditional and modern ways.

Tours are offered every Friday from April – September.
9am-10.30am

Minimum booking of 4 adults required to operate.

What’s included

• Acclaimed Aboriginal bush food experts
• Highly experienced local Arrernte tour guides
• Bush food knowledge sharing and interactive experience
• Shared tasting platter with native ingredients.

What’s not included

• Transport – guests will need to make their own way to the Olive Pink Botanic Garden.

Highlights

What Kungkas Can Cook offers:

Explore: Guided cultural walk through the Olive Pink Botanic Garden with over 600 native plant species, led by knowledgeable Arrernte bush food experts.
Learn: Discover the ‘bush supermarket’, exploring the traditional and modern uses of native ingredients, bush foods, and medicines.
Taste: Enjoy an immersive tasting session featuring a seasonal platter of wild-harvested products such as wattle seed damper, aromatic dukkahs and spices, dried fruits, seeds, jams, and chutneys.

Why Kungkas Can Cook?

Kungkas Can Cook is a 100% owned and operated First Nations business, sharing knowledge and native flavours and supporting local community native harvest programs for over 25 years.

Our unique products offer you the opportunity to explore, learn and taste the true ancient flavours of Central Australia, immersing in traditional knowledge and modern uses of native ingredients whilst engaging directly with bush food experts.

Gain exceptional value from these unique and authentic Aboriginal tours, guided by nationally renowned Bush Food Cook and expert Rayleen Brown and her small team. Kungkas Can Cook’s bush foods have been recognised and awarded as the best Bush Food and Botanicals business in the Northern Territory, ensuring a truly memorable and high-quality experience.

By booking a Kungkas Can Cook tour or purchasing our products, you are supporting a small, proudly First Nations-owned and operated business. Our team provides employment and training for local community members and strengthens the Central Australian First Nations supply chain by sourcing and sharing bush foods ethically and sustainably.

Additional information

Check-in details

Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts and meet at entry of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden Cafe/Gallery. Look for the Kungkas Can Cook sign.

What to bring

• Hat
• Sun protection
• Water bottle
• Walking shoes
• Camera

Special requirements
Kungkas Can Cook does not provide transfers for travellers. Travellers will be required to arrange their own transport.

Restrictions
Children under 5 years are welcome on this tour, parents must be responsible for their children at all times. Approximately 2km of ‘easy’ grade walking is required.

Health & Safety
Please advise any dietary needs or allergies when booking. We use a variety of native ingredients; gluten-free and vegetarian options available.

The Olive Pink Botanic Garden tour requires the ability to walk a short distance on some uneven ground. Trails are well formed and mostly flat.
Comfortable walking shoes are required.

Disclaimers
Cultural and environmental closure

Whilst every effort is made to advise guests in a timely manner, there may be times when your Tour is cancelled due to cultural reasons such as Sorry Business or environmental conditions such as flood or bushfires beyond our control. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. A full refund will be provided in this instance.

FAQs

Who can join our tours?

Open to independent travellers, families, school groups and tour operator clients. All ages welcome.

Are dietary requirements catered for?

Yes. Please advise any dietary needs or allergies when booking. We use a variety of native ingredients; gluten-free and vegetarian options available.

Accessibility & mobility

The walk follows established garden trails (some uneven surfaces) and is approximately 2km in distance. Please contact us to discuss mobility or accessibility needs so we can accommodate you.

Weather & cancellations

Tours operate in most weather conditions. In the event of extreme weather or cultural closures, you will be notified of rescheduling or cancellation. See our Booking Terms and Conditions for more information.